JP7360110B2 - Lower limb massage device - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies (a) Name of publisher: Catalog House Co., Ltd. Website address: https://www. cataloghouse. co. jp/health_and_fitness/massage/1106352. html Publication date: April 16, 2018 (b) Publisher name: Catalog House Co., Ltd. Publication name: Mail order life summer issue Distribution date: April 16, 2018 (c) Publisher name: Stock Company Catalog House Publication Name: Mail Order Life Summer Issue Date of Distribution: July 2, 2018

The present invention relates to a lower limb massage device for massaging the lower limbs of a patient from the knees to the toes.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, lower limb massage devices have been known that can massage the lower limbs of a user from the knees to the toes. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a pneumatic massage device in which a plurality of air chambers arranged in a direction in which the lower limbs are formed are formed in a bag-shaped massage tool that accommodates the lower limbs of a user.

JP2015-47207A

However, in the pneumatic massage device described in Patent Document 1, since each of the plurality of air chambers is compressed with the same pressure, there is a problem that the feeling of pressure is monotonous and the massage effect is weak. In particular, there is a problem in that the feeling of relief of the edema is weak in patients who have edema in their lower limbs.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a lower limb massage device that can improve the massage effect and also improve the feeling of relief from swelling.

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of lower limb air compressors are arranged along the direction of formation of the lower limb in the range from the tip of the foot to the calf of the patient and compress or release the lower limb independently. An air pump that supplies air to the bag, a plurality of lower extremity airbags, respectively, and a distribution device that is installed on the air piping between the plurality of lower extremity airbags and the air pump to distribute or block the airflow to each airbag. A control device that inflates or deflates each of the plurality of lower extremity airbags by controlling the operation of the valve, the air pump and the circulation valve, and a pressure that detects the air pressure in each airbag of the plurality of lower extremity airbags and outputs it to the control device. The control device controls the operation of the air pump and the circulation valve so that the air pressure of each of the plurality of lower limb airbags during compression decreases in order from the toe side to the calf side. In the process of supplying air to each of the multiple lower extremity airbags that are not compressing the lower extremities of the practitioner, the air pressure of each of the multiple lower extremity airbags compresses the lower extremities by supplying air in order from the toe side to the calf side. In the process of controlling the operation of the air pump and circulation valve and supplying air to multiple lower limb airbags, if the air pressure of the airbag on the toe side becomes lower than that of the airbag that is currently supplying air. In this case, the operation of the air pump and distribution valve is controlled so as to interrupt the supply of air to the airbag that is currently being supplied with air, or to immediately supply air to the airbag whose air pressure has decreased after the supply of air ends. There is a particular thing.

According to the feature of the present invention configured in this way, in the lower limb massage device, each air pressure in the plurality of lower limb airbags arranged along the direction of formation of the lower limb is adjusted in the order from the toe side to the calf side during compression. Since it is adjusted to be lower, venous blood on the toe side is promoted to be pushed up toward the calf side, improving the massage effect and improving the feeling of relief of swelling.

Further, according to the feature of the present invention configured in this way, the lower limb massage device is configured such that the air pressure of each of the plurality of lower limb airbags is adjusted in order from the toe side to the calf side from a state where the lower limbs of the user are not being compressed. Since air is supplied and compressed by the foot, the venous blood on the toe side is sufficiently pushed up toward the calf side, improving the massage effect and improving the feeling of relief from swelling.

Further, according to the feature of the present invention configured in this way, in the lower limb massage device, in the process of supplying air to each of the plurality of lower limb airbags, airbags that are closer to the toes than the airbags that are currently supplying air are If the air bag air pressure drops, the air bag that is currently being supplied with air will be interrupted, or the air bag that has lost its air pressure will be immediately supplied with air after the air supply is stopped. The pushing of venous blood at the tip toward the calf side is sufficiently promoted, improving the massage effect and also improving the feeling of relief from swelling.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of lower limb air compressors are arranged along the direction of formation of the lower limb in the range from the tip of the foot to the calf of the patient and compress or release the lower limb independently. An air pump that supplies air to the bag, a plurality of lower extremity airbags, respectively, and a distribution device that is installed on the air piping between the plurality of lower extremity airbags and the air pump to distribute or block the airflow to each airbag. a control device that inflates or deflates each of the plurality of lower extremity airbags by controlling the operation of an air pump and a circulation valve, and each of the plurality of lower extremity airbags is configured to compress at least the toe of the subject. an airbag, a calf airbag that compresses at least a portion of the calf of the subject, and a lower leg disposed between the toe airbag and the calf airbag and located between each of these airbags. The toe airbag compresses the forefoot of the patient's foot, and the intermediate airbag compresses the midfoot and hindfoot of the patient's foot. The control device controls the operation of the air pump and the circulation valve so that the air pressure of each of the lower limb airbags during compression decreases from the toe side to the calf side. .

According to the feature of the present invention configured in this way, in the lower limb massage device, each air pressure in the plurality of lower limb airbags arranged along the direction of formation of the lower limb is adjusted in the order from the toe side to the calf side during compression. Since it is adjusted to be lower, venous blood on the toe side is promoted to be pushed up toward the calf side, improving the massage effect and improving the feeling of relief of swelling.

Further, according to the feature of the present invention configured in this way, the lower limb massage device includes a plurality of lower limb airbags that compress at least the toes of the user, and a foot airbag that compresses at least the user's calves. Three airbags: a calf airbag that compresses a portion of the calf, and an intermediate airbag that is placed between the toe airbag and the calf airbag and compresses the lower leg area located between these airbags. , it is possible to effectively improve the massage effect and the feeling of relief from swelling with a small number of airbags.

Further, according to the feature of the present invention configured as described above, in the lower limb massage device, the toe airbag compresses the forefoot of the user's foot, and the intermediate airbag compresses the front foot of the user's foot. Since it compresses the midfoot and hindfoot regions of the foot, it sufficiently promotes the pushing of venous blood in the toe region toward the calf side, improving the massage effect and improving the feeling of relief from swelling. I can do it. Note that the midfoot is the instep or arch of the foot, and the hindfoot is the heel of the foot behind the midfoot.

Another feature of the present invention is that in the lower extremity massage device, the toe airbag simultaneously compresses the toe of the user from both sides in the lateral and vertical directions.

According to another feature of the present invention configured in this way, the foot airbag applies pressure simultaneously from both sides of the user's foot in the lateral and vertical directions. The pushing up of the venous blood in the area toward the calf side is sufficiently promoted, improving the massage effect and also improving the feeling of relief from swelling.

1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing the external configuration, piping configuration, and control configuration of a lower limb massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the lower limb of a person to be treated is inserted into the lower limb massage device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing, from the front side of the toe, a state in which the toe airbag in the lower extremity massage device shown in FIG. 1 pinches the toe of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a lower limb massage device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing the external configuration, piping configuration, and control configuration of a lower limb massage device 100 according to the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing a usage state in which the lower limb LE of the user U is inserted into the lower limb massage device 100 shown in FIG. The lower limb massage device 100 is a mechanical device that massages the lower limb LE of the user U in the range from the toe to the calf by applying pressure or releasing pressure.

(Configuration of lower limb massage device 100)
The lower limb massage device 100 mainly includes a massage main body 101 and a controller 110. The massage body 101 is a component in which a toe airbag 102, a calf airbag 103, and an intermediate airbag 104 are formed, and into which the lower leg LE of the user U from the toe to the calf can be inserted. It is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

More specifically, the massage body 101 is configured by forming a sheet made of resin (for example, polyurethane resin) into a boot-shaped bag shape. In this case, the massage body 101 has a toe airbag 102 formed on the bottom side, and a calf airbag 103 on the opening side opposite to the bottom side. Further, in the massage body 101, an intermediate airbag 104 is formed between the toe airbag 102 and the calf airbag 103.

The massage body 101 is formed into a boot-shaped cylinder with a bottom by folding two resin sheet materials stacked on top of each other and sewing the periphery of the folded sheets in half. In addition, the massage body 101 is constructed by welding parts of the two overlapping resin sheets in an annular shape to form a toe airbag 102, a calf airbag 103, and an intermediate airbag 104, respectively. It is formed. Although not shown, two massage bodies 101 are provided, one for each of the left and right legs of the person U to be treated.

The toe airbag 102 is a part for compressing or releasing pressure on the toes of the user U, and is a closed space sandwiched between the two resin sheets on the bottom side of the massage body 101. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 3, the foot airbags 102 are formed in independent closed spaces on both sides of the foot of the massager body 101 in the width direction, corresponding to both sides of the foot of the user U in the width direction. ing.

In this case, the two toe airbags 102 are each formed in a lateral U-shape so as to apply pressure to both sides of the toe of the patient U in the width direction from the sides and from above and below. Furthermore, the two toe airbags 102 are formed to have a length that covers the forefoot of the patient U. Here, the forefoot is a portion of the foot extending from the tip of the toe to approximately the instep of the foot. These two toe airbags 102 are each connected to an air pump 111 via an air pipe 112a. In addition, in FIG. 3, the lower limb LE is shown with a chain double-dashed line, and illustration of the massage body 101 is omitted.

The calf airbag 103 is a part for compressing or releasing pressure on the calf of the patient U, and is composed of a sealed space sandwiched between the two resin sheets on the opening side of the massage body 101. has been done. The calf airbag 103 is formed of a C-shaped closed space in plan view extending from the shin side of the patient U through the calf and back to the shin side. The calf airbag 103 is formed to have a length that covers the calf of the lower leg LE below the knee and above the ankle. The calf airbags 103 are each connected to an air pump 111 via an air pipe 112b.

The intermediate airbag 104 is a part for compressing or releasing pressure on the lower limb LE of the patient U between the parts covered by the toe airbag 102 and the calf airbag 103, respectively. There is a closed space sandwiched between the two resin sheets on the opening side of the massage body 101. In this embodiment, the intermediate airbag 104 applies pressure to or relieves pressure from the midfoot, rearfoot, and ankle of the patient U. This intermediate airbag 104 has a C-shape in plan view that extends from the front sides of the midfoot, rearfoot, and ankle of the patient U to the rear sides and back to the front sides. It is formed in a closed space. Further, the intermediate airbags 104 are each connected to an air pump 111 via an air pipe 112c.

The controller 110 includes an air pump 111, air piping 112a to 112c, two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, three-way flow valves 114a to 114c, pressure detectors 115a to 115c, and a control device 116 in a resin box (not shown). These are electromechanical devices housed in each.

The air pump 111 is a device for supplying atmospheric air to the toe airbag 102, calf airbag 103, and intermediate airbag 104 in the left and right massage bodies 101, respectively. The operation of this air pump 111 is controlled by a control device 116.

The air pipes 112a to 112c guide the air output from the air pump 111 to the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104, respectively, and also guide the air output from the air pump 111 to the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104. These tubes are made of resin and are used to guide the air inside each airbag 104 to the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c.

The air pipes 112a to 112c extend from the air pump 111, and then branch into three parts, each connected to two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, three-way flow valves 114a to 114c, and pressure detectors 115a to 115c. It is connected to an airbag 102, a calf airbag 103, and an intermediate airbag 104. In this case, the air pipe 112a is further branched into two immediately before the toe airbag 102, and is connected to each of the two toe airbags 102. Furthermore, the air pipes 112a to 112c are branched for each of the two massage bodies 101 corresponding to both legs of the user U on the downstream side of the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c.

The two-way flow valves 113a to 113c are electromagnetic valves that connect or shut off the air pump 111 to the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104 via the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c, respectively. The operation of each of them is controlled by a control device 116.

The three-way flow valves 114a to 114c are electromagnetic valves that connect the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104 to the atmosphere, respectively, or to the air pump 111 via the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c. These are valves whose operation is controlled by a control device 116, respectively. More specifically, the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c allow the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104 to communicate with the atmosphere, respectively, in the OFF state. On the other hand, the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c communicate the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104 to the air pump 111 via the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, respectively, in the ON state.

These two-way flow valves 113a to 113c and three-way flow valves 114a to 114c correspond to flow valves according to the present invention. Note that the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c and the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c may be interchanged in arrangement.

The pressure detectors 115a to 115c are pressure detection devices that output detection signals corresponding to the internal pressures of the toe airbag 102, the calf airbag 103, and the intermediate airbag 104 to the control device 116. These pressure detectors 115a to 115c are provided on the air pipes 112a to 112c, respectively, on the downstream side of the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c in the controller 110.

The control device 116 is constituted by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and comprehensively controls the entire operation of the lower limb massage device 100 according to a control program (not shown) stored in a storage device such as a ROM. do. In this case, the control device 116 controls the operation of the air pump 111, the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, and the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 117 to Air is supplied to or exhausted from the airbag 103 and the intermediate airbag 104.

The operation panel 117 is a user interface that includes a group of switches for inputting instructions from the patient U to the control device 116 and a lamp for displaying information from the control device 116. This operation panel 117 is provided in an exposed state on the outer surface of the controller 110.

The controller 110 also includes a power cord (not shown) for introducing power from a household power source, and the power supplied through this power cord to the air pump 111, the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, and the three-way flow valves 113a to 113c. It is equipped with a power supply section (not shown) that supplies the flow valves 114a to 114c, the pressure detectors 115a to 115c, the control device 116, and the operation panel 117, respectively, but since these are not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted. is omitted.

(Operation of lower limb massage device 100)
Next, the operation of the lower limb massage device 100 configured as described above will be explained. First, the patient U who uses the lower limb massage device 100 prepares the lower limb massage device 100. Next, the person to be treated U activates the lower limb massage device 100. Specifically, the user U inserts the power cord of the lower extremity massage device 100 into a household power outlet (not shown), and then operates the operation panel 117 to turn on the lower extremity massage device 100. Turn on the power. As a result, the control device 116 of the lower limb massage device 100 enters a standby state waiting for input of a command from the user U by executing a predetermined control program (not shown).

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the patient U inserts his/her lower legs LE into the massage body 101. As a result, in the lower limb massage device 100, the forefoot of the user U is arranged to face the airbag 102 for the toe in the massage body 101, and the midfoot and rear foot of the user U are placed in the intermediate airbag 104. The calf of the patient U is placed opposite to the calf airbag 103.

Next, the user U instructs the control device 116 of the lower limb massage device 100 to start a massage operation by operating the operation panel 117. In response to this instruction, the control device 116 controls the air pump 111, the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, and the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c by executing a control program (not shown) stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM. The massage operation is started by starting each operation.

Specifically, the control device 116 first causes only the toe airbag 102 to communicate with the air pump 111 to supply air only to the toe airbag 102 and inflate it. In this case, the control device 116 supplies air to the toe airbag 102 until the inside of the toe airbag 102 reaches a predetermined pressure by monitoring the detection signal of the pressure detector 115a. In this embodiment, the control device 116 supplies air to the toe airbag 102 until the inside of the toe airbag 102 reaches a pressure of 24 kPa. As a result, the patient U is placed in a state where only the toes of the lower limbs LE of both legs are compressed.

Next, the control device 116 seals the toe airbag 102 and causes only the intermediate airbag 104 to communicate with the air pump 111 to supply air only to the intermediate airbag 104 to inflate it. In this case, the control device 116 can seal the toe airbag 102 by closing the two-way flow valve 113a. In addition, the control device 116 monitors the detection signal of the pressure detector 115c to control the intermediate airbag until the pressure within the intermediate airbag 104 reaches a predetermined pressure lower than the pressure within the toe airbag 102. 104 is supplied with air. In this embodiment, the control device 116 supplies air to the intermediate airbag 104 until the pressure inside the intermediate airbag 104 reaches 22 kPa. As a result, in addition to the toes of the lower limbs LE of both legs, the patient U is placed in a state in which the midfoot, hindfoot, and ankle are each compressed with lower pressure than the toes.

Next, the control device 116 seals the intermediate airbag 104 in addition to the toe airbag 102 and connects only the calf airbag 103 to the air pump 111 to supply air only to the calf airbag 103. and inflate it. In this case, the control device 116 can seal the intermediate airbag 104 by closing the two-way flow valve 113c. In addition, the control device 116 monitors the detection signal of the pressure detector 115b to control the calf airbag until the pressure inside the calf airbag 103 reaches a predetermined pressure lower than the pressure inside the intermediate airbag 104. 103 is supplied with air. In this embodiment, the control device 116 supplies air to the calf airbag 103 until the pressure inside the calf airbag 103 reaches 20 kPa. As a result, the patient U is placed in a state in which the calves of the lower limbs LE of both legs, in addition to the toes, midfoot, hindfoot, and ankles, are compressed with lower pressure than the midfoot, hindfoot, and ankles. Become.

During the process of supplying air to these intermediate airbags 104 or calf airbags 103, the control device 116 controls when the pressure within the airbags to which air has already been supplied falls below a predetermined lower limit of allowable pressure. As soon as the supply of air to the airbag that is currently being supplied with air is completed, air is again supplied to the airbag whose pressure has fallen below the lower limit of the allowable pressure.

Specifically, when the pressure inside the toe airbag 102 drops below a predetermined lower limit of allowable pressure (for example, 23 KPa) during the process of supplying air to the intermediate airbag 104, the control device 116 As soon as the supply of air to the intermediate airbag 104 is completed, air is again supplied to the toe airbag 102. In addition, the control device 116 controls the pressure in the toe airbag 102 or the intermediate airbag 104 to be lower than a predetermined lower limit value of allowable pressure (for example, 23 kPa, 21 kPa) in the process of supplying air to the calf air bag 103. If the pressure decreases, air is again supplied to the toe airbag 102 or the intermediate airbag 104 as soon as the supply of air to the calf airbag 103 is completed.

In addition, during the process of supplying air to these intermediate airbags 104 or calf airbags 103, the control device 116 determines if the pressure in the airbags to which air has already been supplied is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined allowable pressure. In this case, it is possible to immediately interrupt the supply of air into the airbag to which air is currently being supplied, and re-supply air to the airbag whose pressure has fallen below the lower limit of the allowable pressure.

As a result, the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 inflate in order, and the patient U is sequentially compressed from the toe to the calf, causing venous blood to flow from the toe side. Pushing up toward the calf side is promoted, which improves the massage effect and also improves the feeling of relief from swelling.

Next, when the supply of air to the calf airbag 103 is completed, the control device 116 seals the calf airbag 103 by stopping the operation of the air pump 111 and closing the two-way flow valve 113b. Then, the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 are maintained inflated at the respective predetermined pressures for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the predetermined time during which the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 each maintain their inflated state is preferably 5 seconds or more, and more preferably 10 seconds or more.

In the process of maintaining the inflated state of these toe airbags 102, intermediate airbags 104, and calf airbags 103, the control device 116 causes the pressure in each inflated airbag to drop below a predetermined lower limit of allowable pressure. In this case, air is immediately supplied to the airbag whose pressure has dropped below the lower limit of the allowable pressure.

As a result, the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 are continuously compressed from the toes to the calves for a predetermined period of time, so that the toes of the patient U can be compressed. The push of lateral venous blood toward the calf side is promoted, which improves the massage effect and also improves the feeling of relief from swelling.

Next, when the inflated state of the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 is maintained for a predetermined period of time, the control device 116 simultaneously opens the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c to the atmosphere. do. As a result, in the lower limb massage device 100, the air inside each of the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 is released into the atmosphere, so that the lower limb LE of the user U is The pressure is released. Therefore, the patient U can feel a sense of relief as the state of blood flow to the lower limb LE is no longer obstructed and the state of blood flow is restored. In this case, the control device 116 maintains the inflated state of the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 for 20 seconds or more or 30 seconds or more to direct the venous blood on the toe side to the calf side. As well as being encouraged to push up, the feeling of relief caused by the subsequent exhaust of the filled air becomes stronger, making it possible to feel the massage effect more strongly.

In addition, when exhausting each air in the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 to the atmosphere, the control device 116 controls the calf airbag 103 side or the toe airbag side. Air can also be exhausted sequentially from the 102 side.

Next, the control device 116 supplies air to the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103, maintains the inflated state, and releases the air filled in each airbag to the atmosphere. Repeat the massage operation several times to complete the massage operation. In this case, in a series of massage operations, the control device 116 sets the air supply amount or inflation maintenance time to the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 to be the same as in the previous massage operation. You can change it.

When finishing the massage using the lower limb massage device 100, the person U operates the operation panel 117 to operate the air pump 111, the two-way flow valves 113a to 113c, and the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c. The use of the lower extremity massage device 100 can be ended by stopping the lower extremity massage device 100 or directly turning off the power of the lower extremity massage device 100, and then removing both lower extremities LE from inside the massage main body 101.

In the lower limb massage device 100, when the power is turned off, the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c are opened to the atmosphere. In this case, the three-way flow valves 114a to 114c are directly connected to the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 without going through the two-way valves 113a to 113c. Even if the airbag 113c does not open due to a problem, the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 can be released to the atmosphere to relieve the pressure.

As can be understood from the above operation description, according to the above embodiment, the lower limb massage device 100 includes a toe airbag 102, an intermediate airbag 104, and a calf airbag arranged along the forming direction of the lower limb LE. Since each air pressure in the bag 103 is adjusted to be lower in order from the toe side to the calf side when compressing the lower limb LE, pushing up of venous blood on the toe side toward the calf side is promoted and a massage effect is achieved. It is possible to improve the sensation of relief from swelling.

Furthermore, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the purpose of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the massage body 101 is configured to include three airbags: a toe airbag 102, an intermediate airbag 104, and a calf airbag 103. That is, the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 correspond to the lower limb airbag according to the present invention. However, the lower extremity airbag must be composed of a plurality of airbags that are arranged along the formation direction of the lower extremity LE in the range from the tip of the foot to the calf of the patient U and compress or release the lower extremity LE independently. Bye. Therefore, the lower limb airbag only needs to be configured to include at least two airbags. In this case, the plurality of airbags constituting the lower limb airbag are arranged adjacent to each other.

Further, in the above embodiment, the toe airbag 102 is configured to press the forefoot of the person U to be treated. However, the toe airbag 102 may be configured to press at least the toe of the foot of the person U to be treated. In this case, the tip of the foot corresponds to the toe portion. Therefore, the toe airbag 102 may be configured to compress only the toes, or may be formed to a size that compresses the midfoot or hindfoot, or even the ankle. can. In addition, when the toe airbag 102 compresses only the toe or forefoot, it may be configured to apply pressure only from the side of the toe or forefoot, but instead of from the side or In addition, by configuring the foot to compress from above and below, venous blood on the toe side can be effectively pushed up toward the calf side.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the calf airbag 103 is configured to press the calf of the patient U. However, the calf airbag 103 only needs to be configured to press at least a part of the calf of the leg of the patient U. Therefore, the calf airbag 103 may be configured to compress the calf together with other airbags such as the intermediate airbag 104, or may be formed in a size that compresses the ankle in addition to the calf.

In the above embodiment, the lower limb massage device 100 is configured such that the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 simultaneously supply air, maintain inflation, and fill air to the left and right lower limbs LE. The system was configured so that the discharge of However, in the lower limb massage device 100, the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 supply air, maintain inflation, and discharge filled air at different timings for the left and right lower limbs LE. It may be configured so that

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lower limb massage device 100 is configured to include pressure detectors 115a to 115b. Thereby, the lower limb massage device 100 can more accurately control each pressure of the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103. However, the lower limb massage device 100 can also be configured without the pressure detectors 115a to 115b. In this case, the lower limb massage device 100 determines the air supply time and air replenishment time interval required to raise the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 to predetermined pressures. These times can be set in advance in the control device 116, and air can be supplied to the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103, respectively, and set to a predetermined pressure based on these times.

In the embodiment described above, the control device 116 controls the toe airbag 102, the intermediate airbag 104, and the calf airbag 103 to be in a state where they are not filled with air, that is, to compress the lower limb LE of the patient U. When the airbag is not in use, the airbag is filled with air in order starting from the airbag on the toe side. However, the control device 116 may be configured to simultaneously fill the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 with air.

In the embodiment described above, the control device 116 adjusts the pressure when compressing the lower limb LE to 24 kPa for the toe airbag 102, 22 kPa for the intermediate airbag 104, and 20 kPa for the calf airbag 103. However, the air pressure of each of the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 is such that the venous blood on the toe side is pushed up toward the calf side from the toe side to the calf side. It is sufficient that the adjustment is made so that the height decreases toward the lower end, and is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. In this case, each air pressure of the toe airbag 102, intermediate airbag 104, and calf airbag 103 is preferably 10 kPa or more, and more preferably 20 kPa or more.

U...patient, LE...lower limb,
100...lower limb massage device,
101...Massage body, 102...Airbag for toe, 103...Airbag for calf, 104...Intermediate airbag,
110...Controller, 111...Air pump, 112a-112c...Air piping, 113a-113c...Two-way circulation valve, 114a-114c...Three-way circulation valve, 115a-115c...Pressure detector, 116...Control device, 117...Operation panel .

Claims (3)

a plurality of lower limb airbags that are arranged along the direction of formation of the lower limbs in the range from the toes to the calves of the patient and independently compress or release the lower limbs;
an air pump that supplies air to each of the plurality of lower limb airbags;
a circulation valve that is provided on an air pipe between the plurality of lower limb airbags and the air pump and that flows or blocks air flow to each airbag;
a control device that controls the operation of the air pump and the circulation valve to inflate or deflate each of the plurality of lower limb airbags;
a pressure detector that detects the air pressure in each airbag of the plurality of lower limb airbags and outputs it to the control device,
The control device includes:
The operation of the air pump and the circulation valve is controlled so that the air pressure of each of the plurality of lower limb airbags during the compression decreases in order from the toe side to the calf side, In the process of supplying air to each of the plurality of lower extremity airbags that are not compressing, the air pressure of each of the plurality of lower extremity airbags supplies air in order from the toe side to the calf side to compress the lower extremity. In the process of controlling the operation of the air pump and the circulation valve and supplying air to each of the plurality of lower limb airbags, the air pressure of the airbag on the toe side is lower than that of the airbag that is currently supplying air. In this case, the air pump and the distribution valve are configured to interrupt the supply of air to the airbag to which air is currently being supplied, or immediately supply air to the airbag whose air pressure has decreased after the supply of the air is terminated. A lower limb massage device characterized by controlling the operation of. a plurality of lower limb airbags that are arranged along the direction of formation of the lower limbs in the range from the toes to the calves of the patient and independently compress or release the lower limbs;
an air pump that supplies air to each of the plurality of lower limb airbags;
a circulation valve that is provided on an air pipe between the plurality of lower limb airbags and the air pump and that flows or blocks air flow to each airbag;
a control device that controls the operation of the air pump and the circulation valve to inflate or deflate each of the plurality of lower limb airbags,
The plurality of lower limb airbags are
a toe airbag that compresses at least the toes of the subject;
a calf airbag that compresses at least a part of the calf of the subject;
an intermediate airbag that is disposed between the toe airbag and the calf airbag and compresses the lower leg portion located between these airbags;
The foot airbag is
compressing the forefoot part of the leg of the person to be treated;
The intermediate airbag is
compressing the midfoot and hindfoot of the foot of the person to be treated;
The control device includes:
The lower limb massage device is characterized in that the operation of the air pump and the circulation valve is controlled so that the air pressure of each of the plurality of lower limb airbags during the compression decreases in order from the toe side to the calf side. The lower limb massage device according to claim 2 ,
The foot airbag is
A lower limb massage device characterized in that compression is applied simultaneously from both sides of the tip of the toe of the user in the lateral and vertical directions.

Images